21 Things to Put on Top of Kitchen Cabinets That Will Blow Your Mind

Are you wondering how to fill up the void on top of your kitchen cabinets?

You will need a bit of creativity.

The space above kitchen cabinets is one of those awkward areas in a home that seems to beg for décor.

Even so, you can’t afford to put just any kitchen decor.

Do you know?

Whatever you put on top of your cabinet speaks volumes about your personality and preferences.

As such, you don’t want to have boring, dull items up there. You also don’t want to clutter the place in the name of putting things.

So, what are the best items to decorate the space on top of kitchen cabinets?

Here, I will show you several proven ways to use the space on top of kitchen cabinets.

18 Things To Put Above the Kitchen Cabinets

Here are unique and practical ideas of what you can do with the space above your kitchen cabinets.

Showcase Meaningful Collection

Source: forbes.com

Do you have a collection of certain meaningful pieces stored in the closet or basement?

They could be:

Vintage letters
Antique jars
Vintage lunchboxes
Books
Cattle collection
Beautiful plates

If so, you can use the space above your kitchen cabinets to showcase that collection.

You can also put up a series of pitchers full of faux flowers.

Important Note: Ensure that the objects you place on top of kitchen cabinets are large enough to be seen clearly. For instance, collecting pepper and salt shakers is not practical for that spot.

Hang Vintage Finds

Source: pinterest.com

If the wall in the space above your kitchen cabinets is large enough, you can hang beautiful wall art such as:

Vintage baking and cooking tools
Small macramé creations
Family photos
Mirrors
Vintage clocks
Decorative element & signs
Flea market treasures

Weave in an Art Gallery

Source:purewow.com

An art gallery wall is classic, decorative and timeless.

You can come up with creative ways to display your art collection, such as:

Mounting hanging arts directly to the wall
Styling framed artwork across the top
Leaning similar-style artwork onto each other
Using frames of a similar color to create uniformity

Your art gallery can be a collection of black and white photographs or vintage oil paintings. Either way, having a good design and arrangement enhances the visual interest of the kitchen.

Create an Indoor Garden

Source: pinterest.com

Here is a piece of good news!

Decorating above kitchen cabinets with an indoor garden gives a vibrant look to the kitchen.

Nestling plants above the cabinetry bring a vibrant, natural look to the kitchen.

However, please consider the following:

Use plants that don’t require much sunlight
Use pots of the same color and style to have a clean, uniform look
Keep a step stool nearby. It comes in handy when watering the plants.

Trailing plants are spectacular when grown on top of a cabinet. However, they thrive well in a kitchen with a lot of natural light.

Such plants include:

Pothos
Ivy
String of hearts
Philodendron
Tradescantia zebrine
Fishbone cactus
Lipstick plant

Place Artificial Plants

Source: designrulz.com

If creating a natural garden above the cabinets is not your thing, you can go with artificial plants.

Although artificial plants are considered old-fashioned;

You can purchase beautiful, realistic faux plants to bring a modern vibe to your kitchen space.
Get a few pieces with a similar style to get a consistent appearance

Tip: Place similar arrangements of artificial plants on the dining table and counter to tie the kitchen décor together.

Secret Stash

Source: woohome.com

The space on top of your kitchen cabinets is ideal for stashing things that:

You don’t use it often
You have no storage elsewhere

These include:

Decorative objects
Picnic baskets
Lesser-used utensils
Extra cutting boards

Tip: Storing these items in matching baskets provides a cohesive look while keeping them easy to reach.

Add a Brick Wall

Source: designingidea.com

Do you want an excellent industrial effect in your kitchen?

A brick wall provides just that!

Important Note: Installing a brick wall can be expensive and time-consuming. If you don’t have the time or resources for that process, you can fake it with brick wallpaper.

Keep Your Cookbooks

Source: Southerliving.com

Are you struggling with perpetually cluttered countertops as a result of cookbooks?

Worry no more!

The space on top of your kitchen cabinets is a lifesaver. You can create a custom cookbook collection up there without feeling cluttered.

Decorating above kitchen cabinets with a cookbook library has three key benefits:

Gives you full control of your counters by freeing up space
Brings height and character to your kitchen design
Complements the kitchen theme

Put Twinkle Lights

Source: digsdigs.com

You can never go wrong with twinkle lights. They are timeless and perfect for any space.

Any space, even the dullest, can look magical with twinkle lights.

Put Fabric-Topped Letters

Source: hellolidy.com

Bring out your personality and spread the word with bold fabric-topped letters above your kitchen cabinets.

Fabric-topped letters are beautiful and help bring a pop of color and pattern to your kitchen space.

Tip: Switch up the message often, monthly or seasonally, to break the monotony.

Curtain Call

Source: pinterest.com

A curtain is an ideal choice if you are looking for simple kitchen decor for the space above the cabinets.

It is simple to install as you only need a tension rod and fabric.

You can also choose a color and design but ensure that it complements your kitchen theme.

A curtain call creates a spot where you can stash all your junk with no judgment.

Add Texture with Woven Baskets

Source:pinterest.com

The space on top of your kitchen cabinets can be a great store away shelf for woven baskets.

The best thing about woven baskets is that they blend well with both open shelving and closed cabinets.

Woven baskets offer out-of-sight Storage and bring a warm, organic texture to any space.

Sneak Storage In

source: familyhandyman.com

You can build up the space above your cabinets to provide extra storage space.

A study in 2020 showed that 28% of all homeowners who renovated their kitchen added extra storage space. The figures underline the need for more kitchen storage.

Place several savvy storage baskets there, and you will have the additional storage.

The baskets help to keep small items out of sight, thus keeping your kitchen de-cluttered. They also add a decorative touch to the space.

Tip: Use storage baskets of the same color and texture as your kitchen wall and cabinets for better results.

Moreover, if you want a more-organized appearance, add vertical dividers to the space.

If you have a moody teal backdrop, consider using inky woven baskets.

You can use the baskets to store:

Surplus cake stands
Extra kitchen supplies
Trays
Extra rolls of paper towels

Artsy Fartsy

Source:houzz.com

Is the space above your kitchen cabinets too massive to fill?

If so, a gallery loft would make a perfect décor.

Fill the space with a collection of beautiful arts.

Closet Space

Source: pinterest.com

Are you running out of closet space?

No problem.

The space above your kitchen cabinets is perfect for storing:

Rattan bags
Wicker bags

Chalk it Up

Source:decorpad.com

The easiest way to remember important events or dates is to chalk them up. And the best place to do that is above your kitchen cabinets.

Decorating above kitchen cabinets with chalkboard paint can turn that empty, awkward spot into a calendar front.

Vases

Source: pinterest.com

I know you can never have too many vases.

But if you love collecting unique and beautiful vases, you will likely have extra pieces for decorative purposes.

Vases are beautiful even without flowers in them. When arranged correctly, they can add some height to your kitchen.

Finding a safe place to store your vases when not in use can be challenging. They are delicate, and any slight mishandling can destroy them completely.

Fortunately, I found the secret!

The space on top of kitchen cabinets is perfect for storing vases. Here, they are less likely to get knocked off as they are out of reach.